PRESIDENTIAL RACE-REPUBLICAN DEBATE

CLEVELAND — The first debate among Republicans running for the White House in 2016 put to rest speculation billionaire businessman Donald Trump would moderate his harsh denouncement of America's politicians. He used the opening moments of the faceoff with nine other candidates to refuse to rule out running as an independent.

CONGRESS-IRAN NUCLEAR-SCHUMER

WASHINGTON — New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the No. 3 Senate Democrat and next-in-line party leader, says he is breaking with President Barack Obama and will oppose the Iran nuclear deal. 

FERGUSON-YEAR LATER

FERGUSON, Missouri — A year ago, Ferguson, Missouri, was a mostly quiet working-class suburban town. The uneasy relationship between its growing black population and its mostly white police force barely registered in local headlines. Everything changed on Aug. 9, 2014, when a white police officer named Darren Wilson shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old. The street confrontation on that sultry day launched the "Black Lives Matter" movement. 

CANADA-ELECTION DEBATE

TORONTO — The leaders of Canada's four political parties faced off in the first debate before a federal election in October, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper fending off attacks in the first three way race in Canadian history. 

CUBA-BOATING BOOM

HAVANA — A $3 million yacht sailed in from Key West this week complete with wet bar, two barbecue grills and 250 channels of satellite TV, the latest to take advantage of U.S.-Cuba detente that is transforming Cuba into a playground for cruise ships and sleek boats. By Michael Weissenstein.

AP Photos.

ECUADOR-HACKING THE OPPOSITION

LIMA, Peru — An examination of leaked emails detailing spyware vendor Hacking Team's ties with Ecuador's domestic intelligence agency indicates they combined to snoop on dissidents, violating both the company's ethics code and the country's constitution. 

ARGENTINA-JEWISH CENTER BOMBING TRIAL

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — More than 21 years after a bomb wrecked a Jewish community center, ex-President Carlos Menem, a former top judge and several other officials go on trial for allegedly derailing the investigation into Argentina's worst terrorist attack. 

SALVADOR-POLICE KILLING

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Three suspected gang members die in a gunbattle that also killed an off-duty police officer, who is the fourth policeman killed in a 36-hour stretch, authorities say.